The corporate world has an AI problem, and it starts at the top. A comprehensive new Cisco study just dropped some stark numbers: while almost every CEO wants to jump on the AI bandwagon, a mere 2 percent feel they’re actually ready for it. This isn’t just another corporate survey – it’s a warning sign about the growing disconnect between AI ambition and reality in the C-suite.
The global survey, which hit 2,503 CEOs across five continents, paints a picture of executives scrambling to keep up with tech that’s moving faster than their organisations can handle. A whopping 74 percent of CEOs admit they’re not comfortable enough with AI to even ask the right questions in board meetings. Think about that for a second: the people making million-dollar decisions about AI implementation don’t feel equipped to have basic conversations about the technology.
What’s particularly wild is the infrastructure situation. About three-quarters of these companies are straight up losing business opportunities because their tech is too outdated. It’s not just FOMO driving this — though 54 percent of CEOs admit that’s part of it. The real issue is that 73 percent are watching their competitors pull ahead while they’re still trying to figure out their IT strategy.
The infrastructure problem isn’t just about having shiny new toys. Only 40 percent of CEOs feel good about their network security in the AI era, which is a massive red flag considering how critical secure infrastructure is for AI implementation. We’re talking about companies that want to implement advanced AI systems but don’t have the basic security infrastructure to support them.
Here’s where it gets interesting: 82 percent of these CEOs expect to see more CTOs become CEOs in the future. That’s a pretty clear signal that the days of having a technically illiterate CEO might be numbered. And honestly, it’s about time. The study shows that 78 percent of current CEOs are increasingly relying on their CTOs and CIOs for guidance on tech investments. Translation: they’re out of their depth and they know it.
The motivation to adopt AI isn’t just defensive either. While 69 percent of CEOs cite the obvious efficiency and cost benefits, 68 percent are actually looking to innovate and create new products. The problem? They’re hitting walls before they even get started. The top barriers these CEOs report are pretty telling: 40 percent point to skills and knowledge gaps in their business, 35 percent cite infrastructure limitations, and 34 percent are worried about security.
Perhaps the most revealing stat is this: 96 percent of CEOs believe choosing a trusted partner to implement networking solutions in the AI era is “important,” with about two-thirds calling it “very important.” Reading between the lines: they know they can’t do this alone, and they’re looking for help anywhere they can get it.
The implications here are bigger than just corporate strategy. As AI continues to reshape industries, this leadership gap could create a new digital divide – not between companies that have AI and those that don’t, but between those that can implement it effectively and those that just think they can. That’s a much more dangerous gap, and it’s one that could take years to close.
For now, it seems like most companies are stuck in an uncomfortable position: their leaders know they need AI to stay competitive, but they don’t have the knowledge, infrastructure, or security to implement it effectively. And in the fast-moving world of AI, that’s a recipe for falling behind.